Tracking Implementation of the 2025 Reconciliation Law: Medicaid Work Requirements Data and Policies
Detailed state and national data related to the 2025 Reconciliation Law Medicaid Work Requirements
View the Latest: Medicaid Work Requirements
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The Medical Frailty Exemption from Medicaid Work Requirements: Key Takeaways from the CMS Interim Final Rule
Issue BriefThis brief describes new guidance and potential challenges states will face in operationalizing the medical frailty exemption.
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In 30 of the States Implementing Medicaid Work Requirements, Governors Are on the Ballot in November
Quick InsightsA majority of states subject to new Medicaid work requirements — 30 of 44 — will hold gubernatorial elections this November, and leadership transitions, particularly those involving a change in party, could complicate state implementation of work requirements.
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CMS Requires More Restrictive Definition of Medical Frailty in New Medicaid Work Requirements Rule
Quick InsightsOn June 1, 2026, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued an interim final rule on Medicaid work requirements that adopts a restrictive definition of medical frailty—differing from states’ early expectations. The more restrictive definition of medical frailty adopted by the Trump Administration will be challenging for states to implement and could lead to more people falling through the cracks and losing coverage.
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A Closer Look at North Carolina’s Implementation of the 2025 Reconciliation Law Medicaid Provisions and Other Changes Amid Medicaid Budget Shortfalls
Policy WatchThis policy watch provides initial insight into how North Carolina is preparing to implement certain Medicaid provisions of the 2025 reconciliation law and how other policy changes may affect coverage and access to care.
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The Medical Frailty Exemption from Medicaid Work Requirements: Key Issues to Watch for in Upcoming CMS Guidance
Issue BriefThis brief describes early state plans to operationalize the medical frailty exemption for Medicaid work requirements and identifies key issues and questions states are facing, some of which may be answered in forthcoming CMS guidance.
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A Look at the High Unemployment Hardship Exception to Medicaid Work Requirements Based on Unemployment Data from February 2025 to January 2026
Policy WatchIn the 39 states that are adopting or may adopt the high unemployment hardship exception, about 1.4 million or 7.5% of Medicaid expansion enrollees live in one of the 133 counties that currently meet the high-unemployment criteria.
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An Early Look at State Approaches to Implementing Medicaid Work Requirements
Event Date:EventKFF hosted a virtual briefing focused on states’ efforts to implement these new Medicaid work and community engagement requirements, which have created new administrative demands on states at a time of federal funding cuts, slowing revenue growth, and increasing spending demands.
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Medicaid and CHIP Eligibility, Enrollment, and Renewal Policies as States Prepare for Major Medicaid Policy Changes
ReportThe 24th annual survey of state Medicaid and CHIP program officials conducted by KFF and the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families (CCF) provides a baseline of state Medicaid and CHIP eligibility, enrollment, and renewal policies in place as of January 2026 as they prepare to implement the changes included in the 2025 reconciliation law.
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Survey Offers Early Look at States’ Differing Approaches to Implementing Medicaid Work Requirements Amid Cost and Time Constraints and Uncertainty from Delayed Federal Guidance
News ReleaseA new KFF survey of state Medicaid officials and focus groups in eight states captures the different choices states are making about how to implement Medicaid work requirements, with seven states planning for a more restrictive approach to verifying work or exemption status or to implement work requirements early. These implementation plans are taking shape as states encounter time, cost, and other constraints as well as uncertainty about how to define and verify certain exemptions…